Prospects claim Nike Friendship Cup

May 28, 2009

Vancouver Whitecaps Prospects Women won the Nike Friendship Cup in Portland, Oregon, after claiming three wins and a draw this past weekend.

Jesse Symons' side won the tournament title for Girls born in 1992 and 1993 after they faced top teams from US Youth Soccer's Olympic Development Program, with the competition considered one of the largest and most competitive ODP tournaments on the west coast of the United States.

With three Pacific Coast Soccer League matches under their belts, the Prospects started the tournament with a 2-0 win over Oregon ODP's 1992 squad on Friday. Janine Frazao and Jenna Richardson had the goals for the 'Caps, while goalkeeper Gurveen Clair claimed the clean sheet in goal.

On Saturday, the Whitecaps made it win number two with a 2-0 victory over California North's ODP side. An early own-goal and another strike from Richardson gave the Prospects victory, with Clair and fellow goalkeeper Ariel Anderson combining to shut out the Cal-North attack. Their second match on Saturday was even more convincing, as the 'Caps defeated Oregon ODP's 1993 team 4-0. Two first-half goals by Katie Turney led the Whitecaps to their third win in the tournament, with Richardson and Jenna DiNunzio completing a comfortable win for the Canadian visitors. Anderson earned the clean sheet in goal for Vancouver.

The Prospects secured the tournament title with a 1-1 draw versus the side they first played on Friday in Oregon ODP's 1992 squad. Oregon took a 1-0 lead in the second half, but Tessa Meyer headed home Jaclyn Sawicki's corner to claim a share of the spoils.

The Prospects Women will now return to PCSL Premier Division action on Sunday afternoon, as they host Okanagan Whitecaps at SFU's Terry Fox Field. In July, the team will play in the prestigious Surf Cup tournament in San Diego, California, before the squad represents the province of British Columbia at the 2009 Canada Games in Prince Edward Island this August.